TheArtOfService
Back to Frameworks

IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

Self-Assess
International (IEC SC 65A); adopted as EN 61508 / BS EN 61508:2010 and nationally
vEdition 2.0 (2010-04); current at 2026-10-01 per the IEC webstore, stability date 2027, revision under development
11 domains
73 controls

The generic functional safety standard for E/E/PE safety-related systems (IEC 61508:2010, Parts 1 to 3 built as controls, Parts 4 to 7 as introduction).

Verified

IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems is a compliance framework from International (IEC SC 65A); adopted as EN 61508 / BS EN 61508:2010 and nationally with 11 domains and 73 controls that map to 2 other frameworks. The largest domains are Part 2, Clause 7: E/E/PE lifecycle (hardware) – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems (21 controls), Part 1, Clause 7: Overall safety lifecycle – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems (16 controls), Part 3, Clause 7: Software safety lifecycle – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems (14 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.

Maintained by Gerard Blokdyk

Framework summaries on this platform are AI-assisted interpretations for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.

Framework Domains (11)

Part 1, Clause 4: Conformance – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

1 controls
Controls in the Part 1, Clause 4: Conformance – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 1 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-4Part 1, 4 Conformance to this standard

Part 1, Clause 5: Documentation – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

1 controls
Controls in the Part 1, Clause 5: Documentation – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 1 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-5.2Part 1, 5.2 Documentation requirements

Part 1, Clause 6: Management of functional safety – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

1 controls
Controls in the Part 1, Clause 6: Management of functional safety – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 1 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-6.2Part 1, 6.2 Management of functional safety: requirements

Part 1, Clause 7: Overall safety lifecycle – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

16 controls
Controls in the Part 1, Clause 7: Overall safety lifecycle – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 16 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.1.4Part 1, 7.1.4 Overall safety lifecycle: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.10.2Part 1, 7.10.2 system safety requirements spec (SRS): requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.13.2Part 1, 7.13.2 Overall installation and commissioning: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.14.2Part 1, 7.14.2 Overall safety validation: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.15.2Part 1, 7.15.2 Overall operation, maintenance and repair: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.16.2Part 1, 7.16.2 Overall modification and retrofit: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.17.2Part 1, 7.17.2 Decommissioning or disposal: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.18.2Part 1, 7.18.2 Verification: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.2.2Part 1, 7.2.2 Concept: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.3.2Part 1, 7.3.2 Overall scope definition: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.4.2Part 1, 7.4.2 Hazard and risk analysis: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.5.2Part 1, 7.5.2 Overall safety requirements: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.6.2Part 1, 7.6.2 Overall safety requirements allocation: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.7.2Part 1, 7.7.2 Overall operation and maintenance planning: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.8.2Part 1, 7.8.2 Overall safety validation planning: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-7.9.2Part 1, 7.9.2 Overall installation and commissioning planning: requirements

Part 1, Clause 8: Functional safety assessment – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

1 controls
Controls in the Part 1, Clause 8: Functional safety assessment – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 1 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::1-8.2Part 1, 8.2 Functional safety assessment: requirements

Part 2, Clause 7: E/E/PE lifecycle (hardware) – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

21 controls
Controls in the Part 2, Clause 7: E/E/PE lifecycle (hardware) – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 21 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.1.3Part 2, 7.1.3 E/E/PE lifecycle: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.2.2Part 2, 7.2.2 design requirements spec (DRS): requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.2.3Part 2, 7.2.3 design requirements spec (DRS): content
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.3.2Part 2, 7.3.2 E/E/PE validation planning: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.10Part 2, 7.4.10 Requirements for proven in use elements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.11Part 2, 7.4.11 Additional requirements for data communications
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.2Part 2, 7.4.2 E/E/PE system design and development: general requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.3Part 2, 7.4.3 Synthesis of elements to achieve the required systematic capability
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.4.1Part 2, 7.4.4.1 Hardware safety integrity architectural constraints: general requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.4.2Part 2, 7.4.4.2 Route 1H
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.4.3Part 2, 7.4.4.3 Route 2H
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.5Part 2, 7.4.5 Requirements for quantifying the effect of random hardware failures
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.6Part 2, 7.4.6 Requirements for the avoidance of systematic faults
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.7Part 2, 7.4.7 Requirements for the control of systematic faults
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.8Part 2, 7.4.8 Requirements for system behaviour on detection of a fault
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.4.9Part 2, 7.4.9 Requirements for E/E/PE system implementation
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.5.2Part 2, 7.5.2 E/E/PE system integration: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.6.2Part 2, 7.6.2 E/E/PE system operation and maintenance procedures: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.7.2Part 2, 7.7.2 E/E/PE validation: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.8.2Part 2, 7.8.2 E/E/PE system modification: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-7.9.2Part 2, 7.9.2 E/E/PE system verification: requirements

Part 2, Normative annexes A to E – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

5 controls
Controls in the Part 2, Normative annexes A to E – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 5 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-APart 2, Annex A (normative) Techniques and measures to control failures during operation
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-BPart 2, Annex B (normative) Techniques and measures to avoid systematic failures in the lifecycle phases
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-CPart 2, Annex C (normative) Diagnostic coverage and safe failure fraction
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-DPart 2, Annex D (normative) Safety manual for compliant items
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::2-EPart 2, Annex E (normative) Special architecture requirements for ICs with on-chip redundancy

Part 3, Clause 6: Management of safety-related software – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

1 controls
Controls in the Part 3, Clause 6: Management of safety-related software – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 1 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-6.2Part 3, 6.2 Additional requirements for management of safety-related software

Part 3, Clause 7: Software safety lifecycle – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

14 controls
Controls in the Part 3, Clause 7: Software safety lifecycle – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 14 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.1.2Part 3, 7.1.2 Software safety lifecycle: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.2.2Part 3, 7.2.2 Software safety requirements specification: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.3.2Part 3, 7.3.2 Validation plan for software aspects of system safety: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.4.2Part 3, 7.4.2 Software design and development: general requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.4.3Part 3, 7.4.3 Requirements for software architecture design
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.4.4Part 3, 7.4.4 Requirements for support tools, including programming languages
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.4.5Part 3, 7.4.5 Requirements for detailed design and development: software system design
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.4.6Part 3, 7.4.6 Requirements for code implementation
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.4.7Part 3, 7.4.7 Requirements for software module testing
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.4.8Part 3, 7.4.8 Requirements for software integration testing
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.5.2Part 3, 7.5.2 Programmable electronics integration (hardware and software): requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.7.2Part 3, 7.7.2 Software aspects of system safety validation: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.8.2Part 3, 7.8.2 Software modification: requirements
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-7.9.2Part 3, 7.9.2 Software verification: requirements

Part 3, Clause 8: Functional safety assessment of software – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

1 controls
Controls in the Part 3, Clause 8: Functional safety assessment of software – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 1 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-8Part 3, 8 Functional safety assessment of software

Part 3, Normative annexes A and D – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems

11 controls
Controls in the Part 3, Normative annexes A and D – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems domain of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems — 11 controls
CodeTitle
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.1Part 3, Annex A Table A.1 Software safety requirements specification techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.10Part 3, Annex A Table A.10 Functional safety assessment techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.2Part 3, Annex A Table A.2 Software architecture design techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.3Part 3, Annex A Table A.3 Support tools and programming language techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.4Part 3, Annex A Table A.4 Detailed design techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.5Part 3, Annex A Table A.5 Software module testing and integration techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.6Part 3, Annex A Table A.6 Programmable electronics integration techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.7Part 3, Annex A Table A.7 Software aspects of system safety validation techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.8Part 3, Annex A Table A.8 Modification techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-A.9Part 3, Annex A Table A.9 Software verification techniques
iec-61508-2010-functional-safety-of-e-e-pe-safety-related-systems::3-DPart 3, Annex D (normative) Safety manual for compliant items: software elements

Maps to 2 other frameworks

73 total controls
ISO 26262:2018 - Functional Safety for Road Vehicles
68 source controls mapped|51 target controls covered
93%
EN 50716:2023 - Railway Applications - Requirements for Software Development
28 source controls mapped|23 target controls covered
38%
Compare IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems with ISO 26262:2018 - Functional Safety for Road Vehicles

Coverage is not the same as your position

This page shows what IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.

The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business days

What is IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems and who does it apply to?

IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems is a compliance framework from International (IEC SC 65A); adopted as EN 61508 / BS EN 61508:2010 and nationally with 11 domains and 73 controls. The generic functional safety standard for E/E/PE safety-related systems (IEC 61508:2010, Parts 1 to 3 built as controls, Parts 4 to 7 as introduction). It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

What does IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems actually require?

IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems has 73 controls organised across 11 domains. The largest domains are Part 2, Clause 7: E/E/PE lifecycle (hardware) – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems (21 controls), Part 1, Clause 7: Overall safety lifecycle – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems (16 controls), Part 3, Clause 7: Software safety lifecycle – IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems (14 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

If I already comply with another framework, how much of IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems do I already cover?

IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems maps to 2 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are ISO 26262:2018 - Functional Safety for Road Vehicles (93% coverage), EN 50716:2023 - Railway Applications - Requirements for Software Development (38% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I implement IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems?

Start your IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about IEC 61508:2010 - Functional Safety of E/E/PE Safety-related Systems requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 73 controls and track your progress.

Start Your Compliance Journey

Create a free account to run self-assessments, get AI advisory, and track your compliance progress across 868 frameworks.

Get Started Free →

Free forever — no credit card required